About

I work full time for Kent State's College of Communication & Information (CCI) as a User Experience Designer at the college and IdeaBase, a collaborative, student-powered design agency located in Downtown Kent, where we conduct research, design and development work for real-world clients, both inside and outside the university. I also run my own freelance web and UX consulting business.

PHILOSOPHY

Make the web an engaging experience for all through user-centered design, content strategy and standards-based development.

Support interactive media for the College of Communication & Information, ensuring it is usable, meets goals/metrics and communicates the individual school brands, while meeting university brand standards.

Develop HTML/CSS prototypes and wireframes for use in testing and agile development of responsive web sites.

Mentor and train students on the latest in web and interaction design standards.

Research and discover new ways to integrate web technology and user experience design into our workflow, advocating a mobile-first and content-first strategy.

November 2012 – November 2014

University Communications and Marketing, Kent State University , Interactive Designer and Developer

Designed new Kent State website’s look-and-feel, including colors, typography and user interface patterns

Complete weekly content updates to the Kent State University home page, including news, promotions and enhancements Leading the migration of Kent State’s website to a responsive layout (flexible layout that conforms to screen size)

Design and lead beginner training, attended by staff and students, for the university’s content management system Develop content and user research for the university’s student and staff portal (FlashLine)

Optimize Kent State websites for search engines and work with SEO vendor to implement recommendations

Develop new methods for users to connect with Kent State social media. Lead location-based social networking effort. Work with over sixteen client departments on campus to develop, enhance and support their web presence

Develop rich HTML email designs for clients, including the President’s Office, and track their success

Assist with usability testing and focus groups for high school students and the Kent State community

Provide weekly support and troubleshooting for the university’s content management system

August 2011 – November 2012

Division of Information Services, Kent State University , Lead IT User Support Analyst

Maintained architecture, navigation, knowledge management and metrics for the campus online support system Served on web advisory board, developing goals, prototypes and process flows for various technology websites Designed print marketing materials, using Adobe Creative Suite, that promoted IT services

Cultivated consistency and innovation in the IS brand through university style, design, support, usability and social media

Presented services to new students and faculty at student and staff orientation sessions

Designed and conducted training sessions for the university’s IT ticketing system for staff members and students Collaborated with developers and designers to implement new features and improvements to in-house web applications

Worked with the Helpdesk and The Tech Spot to maintain excellence in quality and customer experience

Coached and trained student team members on how to give excellent customer service through creative scenarios Supervised 40 student employees for Tech at Night and managed two student office employees

August 2010 – August 2011

Division of Information Services, Kent State University , Marketing Coordinator

Organized written communications and print/video marketing materials for constituents and employees

Translated technical language into engaging and informative final products for both technical and non-technical users Conducted usability testing for multiple projects, including the IS website redesign and Identity Management project

August 2007 – August 2010

The Tech Spot, Kent State University , Graduate Assistant and Computer Consultant